3 Series (G20/G21/G28) [Official] BMW 3 Series (G20)

[Jan]

 

[Centurion]

Is it subset orange or red?

 

[SCOTT27]

Is it subset orange or red?

Sunset Orange.

 

[Merc1]

Ding Ding we have winner.

M

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Or one of these three-wheelers? Reliant Robin.

Just remember that eating while rollin' is hazardous, man.

 

[Laurent T]

From Autocar, reveal of the M340i :
Set to make its debut at the Los Angeles motor show at the end of November, the performance flagship sits above the 330i in the upcoming G20-generation 3 Series range.

The M340i marks the first time that BMW’s sporting sub-division has preceded the model number of a 3 Series, reflecting the volume of design and tuning elements carried over from full-blown performance models such as the M3.

The M340i's 3.0-litre engine is constructed largely from lightweight aluminium, while a revamped turbocharging system promotes improved fuel efficiency and turbine response.

At 369bhp, the power output of the six-cylinder unit is 47bhp more than that of the most powerful previous-generation 3 Series. Peak torque is up as well, rising by 37lb ft to 369lb ft.

The power upgrades translate to a 0-62mph time of 4.4sec, 0.5sec faster than the outgoing 340i - an achievement brought about in part by the shorter ratios of BMW’s latest eight-speed automatic gearbox.

By comparison, the M340i's biggest rivals, the Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG and Audi S4are capable of a 4.7sec 0-62 mph time.

The M340i comes equipped with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system, which, alongside an M Sport differential, allows drivers to modify the bias of power toward the rear wheels.

The new model sits 10mm lower and has a wider track than other variants in the 3 Series line-up, while electronically controlled dampers come as part of the optional Adaptive M suspension system.

M tuning extends to the standard brake system on the M340i, with M-branded calipers mounted to 348mm discs at the front and 345mm discs at the rear. M-branded 18in alloy wheels can be wrapped in a range of performance-oriented tyres.

The M340i’s design also sets it apart from the rest of the range. Extra vents at the front are said to “optimise both the cooling air supply and aerodynamics”, while model-exclusive styling elements include a colour-coded rear spoiler and trapezoidal exhaust.

A release date and pricing for the M340i have not yet been revealed, but we can expect to see the range-topping model to appear on sale in the first few months of 2019.

 

[Centurion]

This car is seriously growing on me. In 6 months I can hand back my 2016 F25 X3 and a G21 Touring is at the top of my list for a replacement. Although discounts on the 340i tend to be generous to the level that there's no point in buying a 330i, I don't spend enough time on the motorway to make use of all that power.

An 320i xDrive Luxury with adaptive dampers will be all the car I want and need. That's not to say that I won't be tempted into a G21 M340i touring if the numbers makes sense. Sometimes the monthly payments are lower on a car with more standard equipment than a cheaper car with added options.

 

[SCOTT27]

This car is seriously growing on me. In 6 months I can hand back my 2016 F25 X3 and a G21 Touring is at the top of my list for a replacement. Although discounts on the 340i tend to be generous to the level that there's no point in buying a 330i, I don't spend enough time on the motorway to make use of all that power.

An 320i xDrive Luxury with adaptive...

What about the M340d?

 

[Centurion]

What about the M340d?

This time I will factory order a car I will keep after the finance agreement. Since 2017, buying an expensive diesel isn't a good decision as the second hand market will only get worse.

I get 25% of the 3-Series and 5-Series, occasionally with incentives on top, so a nicely specced petrol is a no-brainer.

 

[klier]

I think it looks closer to the F30 than the F30 did to the E90. And I've always felt from the get go that the F30 was a better looking car than the E90.

Yep, it's great to see we all have our favorites.

But for now I have to say that from the 'modern era' (every BMW since the E65), this G20 is the sedan I like most. And I like it more every time I see it. Just maybe a little too big overall, but nothing we can do about that when every car becomes bigger and bigger...

 

[DocM]

M340i with AWD would make a perfect daily in the snowy U.S. Midwest! For some strange reason I'm optimistic about how this thing will handle and drive. Black is perfect on it as well.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

There is something that bothers me. In an article in AMuS is mentioned that the American version of the M340i is with 13 PS more powerful than the European one because of the lack of particle filter. This is the first case that I see, in which the OPF decreases the power of a certain car. All the cars that were certified under the new WLTP managed to retain the same power output, despite the addition of an OPF and only with the M340i we see a negative effect. Is this another defeat?

 

[manuelf]

This is the first case that I see, in which the OPF decreases the power of a certain car. All the cars that were certified under the new WLTP ma...

When BMW did introduce the OPF for existing vehicles, they obviously could not decrease power output... many customers did spec their cars on existing datasheets and then OPFs were silently introduced. With the M340 US/EU versions those are all new cars with new datasheets. It's trivial, that OPF costs some performance. Sure: BMW could adapt DME software of cars with OPF (changed boost pressure, timings) to accomodate the disadvantage of the OPF like they have done for existing vehicles... but it will for sure have negative effects on consumption and thermal management, so they decided not to boost the OPF variant to the level of Non-OPF...

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

When BMW did introduce the OPF for existing vehicles, they obviously could not decrease power output... many customers did spec their cars on existing datasheets and then OPFs were silently introduced. With the M340 US/EU versions those are all new cars with new datasheets. It's trivial, that OPF costs some performance. Sure: BMW could adapt DME softwa...

I had in mind all the other producers, including BMW. It is just not possible no other car to get a power decrease with the mounting of the OPF. And it's not that easy just to increase the boost of the turbo and to get the same power. These are official producers and not tuners. Every increase in power should be thoroughly tested and proofed for durability and so on before applying. There is just something that is not absolutely right.

 

[dalab]

Yep, it's great to see we all have our favorites.

But for now I have to say that from the 'modern era' (every BMW since the E65), this G20 is the sedan I like most. And I like it more every time I see it. Just maybe a little too big overall, but nothing we can do about that when every car becomes bigger and bigger...

Whether we like it or not, the classic size 3 series from now on will be the new 1 series sedan / 2 grand coupe, so I hope they are as good as the new 3 in every way

 

[Srbb]

I guess this is what left of a test car when the fake panels are taken off....

 

[mihc]

There is something that bothers me. In an article in AMuS is mentioned that the American version of the M340i is with 13 PS more powerful than the European one because of the lack of particle filter. This is the first case that I see, in which the OPF decreases the power of a certain car. All the cars that were certified under the new WLTP ma...

Z4 M40i in EU has 340PS. In the US it has 387PS...

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Z4 M40i in EU has 340PS. In the US it has 387PS...

I am speaking for the M340i. Otherwise the technical update of the B58 engine brought two output versions, lower which is 340 ps( the engine in the European version of the Z4) and higher around 380 ps. The higher output version has an European version and American version without OPF and 13 ps more.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

M340i with AWD would make a perfect daily in the snowy U.S. Midwest! For some strange reason I'm optimistic about how this thing will handle and drive. Black is perfect on it as well.

A wagon version of this would make it just perfect!

 

[Jan]

330e